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CREST OR CROWN POWER AMP ?

mb94952

mb94952

Endorsing Artist : SFARZO STRINGS
Inactive
Supporting Member
Apr 16, 2007
9,437
8,453
57
Petaluma, California 94952
www.reverbnation.com
#1
Hey,
I play an AMPEG SVT-PRO tube preamp through a CREST CA4 power amp. I was considering upgrading to either a CREST CA9 or a CROWN, or an ALL TUBE power amp to get that "chug chug" sound.

I am unfamiliar with the levels of CROWN power amps. What is the CROWN version of the CA series by CREST ? In other words, what is a really good, clean, and reliable CROWN for bass guitar ?

Or I will just sell my setup and get an AMPEG SVT-CL .

:hmm:

Thanks,
Mike
 
#3
Yeah, I think both ( crest and crown ) are top quality. The guy I got my CREST from has BOTH a crest and a crown. There was really no difference - MAYBE the crown was a bit cleaner. That's why I LOVE talkbass ! I get your opinions from experience !!​
bongomania said:
I sincerely doubt you would gain anything -not tone, not power, not portability, not anything- by switching from Crest to Crown.
Click to expand...
 
#5
MB, Are you still using the Hank 8X8 cab? Are you planning to increase the size of your rig?

The CA9 is an interesting amplifier, but sort of an ODD power level for most cabs out there. I would prefer to go higher or lower depending on what I was powering.

Spending the money for the CA9 and it just makes 2KW bridged at 4ohms. It also only makes 900 watts stereo at 4 ohms.

The advantage of utilizing PA power is to have BIG JUICE available to power cabs. Personally I feel a cab the size of an 810 requires a 1200W capable SS amplifier to kick it good. So this PA amp will not kick a pair in stereo with any headroom. So if that was your goal, I wouldn't buy a 9 but get a CA-12 as that will rock a pair of 810's.

If you are planning smaller cabs or a single cab I wouldn't spend that kind of money for an amp that NEEDS to be in MONO-Blocked to make any power. That's like pulling the big block out of your 68 camaro and pluggin in a 4 cylinder.

Just an opinion.

The XTi 4000 would make a nice amp. Reasonable too as Crown goes. Never used one though, we have guys here playing with I-Techs in a thread do a search.

BOB
 
#6
Hi Bob,
Wow, people sure pay attention here ! I am still using the Hank 8x8, which I LOVE btw. I have never bridged my CA4 yet. Should I just bridge it to get more juice and forget all this GAS ? I am new to the whole pre/power thing, so I don't know all of the ins-and-outs of it yet ! The only reason I'm even considering all this is because the amps clips at mid volume. It worries me. Is it safe ?​
rbonner said:
MB, Are you still using the Hank 8X8 cab? Are you planning to increase the size of your rig?

The CA9 is an interesting amplifier, but sort of an ODD power level for most cabs out there. I would prefer to go higher or lower depending on what I was powering.

Spending the money for the CA9 and it just makes 2KW bridged at 4ohms. It also only makes 900 watts stereo at 4 ohms.

The advantage of utilizing PA power is to have BIG JUICE available to power cabs. Personally I feel a cab the size of an 810 requires a 1200W capabile SS amplifier to kick it good. So this PA amp will not kick a pair in stereo with any headroom. So if that was your goal, I wouldn't buy a 9 but get a CA-12 as that will rock a pair of 810's.

If you are planning smaller cabs or a single cab I wouldn't spend that kind of money for an amp that NEEDS to be in MONO-Blocked to make any power. That's like pulling the big block out of your 68 camaro and pluggin in a 4 cylinder.

Just an opinion.

The XTi 4000 would make a nice amp. Reasonable too as Crown goes. Never used one though, we have guys here playing with I-Techs in a thread do a search.

BOB
Click to expand...
 
#7
"only" 900w stereo at 4 ohms? That's 900w per cab. That could level buildings if your input sensitivity is matched.

The Crest CA series makes a great bass power amp because the very low input sensitivity (.775vrms) matches well with the output power of most bass preamps, and will give you the most out of the 900w you have.

Speaking from experience, 900w per side is more than enough to drive an 8x10 each side. I used a Yamaha power amp with relatively high input voltage (1.5vrms) with a 1.0vrms power amp and had no problems with enough volume in most circumstances. The Crest is gonna be a lot louder, and my Yamaha was only 700w.

900 watts rms will explode almost any cabinet, given transient peaks will be significantly more than that. Needing more is almost unimaginable unless you're running like 4 cabs per side or something.
 
#8
mb94952 said:
Hi Bob,
Wow, people sure pay attention here ! I am still using the Hank 8x8, which I LOVE btw. I have never bridged my CA4 yet. Should I just bridge it to get more juice and forget all this GAS ? I am new to the whole pre/power thing, so I don't know all of the ins-and-outs of it yet ! The only reason I'm even considering all this is because the amps clips at mid volume. It worries me. Is it safe ?​
Click to expand...

It clips because it has a low input voltage (.775 vrms) in all likelihood. If the clip light is coming on intermittently it is probably fine.

If your preamp puts out a very hot signal (read your manual or call Ampeg support) you can modify the Crest input voltage. Or you can just turn your preamp out down and the power amp up.

IIRC, you should be listening for speaker distortion before you get really concerned, or seeing constant solid clip light.
 
#9
The only brands I would recommend other than Crest (which seems like one of the best) are:
Yamaha (lots of features! the low pass and high pass are awesome) -- however you need a very hot preamp with XLR outs for this (or a VERY VERY hot preamp with 1/4 outs, since unbalanced outs mean a large drop in effective voltage)

QSC PLX - good input voltage (around 1v) and nice features and very lightweight.
 
#10
I have used Crest CA6 and Crown Microtech 1200 for bass rigs. I say I like the tone of the CA6 just a little better. Might be input sensitivity, might be amplifier damping, I don't know, I just know the tone was, to my ears, a little more pleasant on the CA6.
 
#11
MB what cabs are you using (or plan on) and what ohms?

The CA4 will put out 1100 watts Bridged Mono into a 4 ohms load.

As far as the Crest Crown comparison it really depends on what specific amp models. For Crowns IMO the Macro Techs are the way to go. For Crest the CA series are Industrial Grade as compared to a number of more popular amps out there.

As for the Crown Macro Tech and the Crest CA9 there is a reason for the price tag on those babys. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Hope this helps.:)
 
#13
I've got a crown macrotech 2402 left over from a pre power rig I used to use. The macrotech line is Crown's lead sled top of the line stuff just like the CA stuff is for Crest. I personally give the nod to the Crown over the crest, but the difference isn't that massive.

All that aside, try bridging your current amp before you upgrade. That CA4 ought to give you plenty of oomph. I'd recommend being careful with it though. I've heard from several people that said that those Henry 8x8's sound pretty clean and keep taking extra juice right up to the point they blow a speaker. Bridge it then be careful with all that power.
 
#14
Thanks ! Great advice and to the point.
- Mike​
Kael said:
I've got a crown macrotech 2402 left over from a pre power rig I used to use. The macrotech line is Crown's lead sled top of the line stuff just like the CA stuff is for Crest. I personally give the nod to the Crown over the crest, but the difference isn't that massive.

All that aside, try bridging your current amp before you upgrade. That CA4 ought to give you plenty of oomph. I'd recommend being careful with it though. I've heard from several people that said that those Henry 8x8's sound pretty clean and keep taking extra juice right up to the point they blow a speaker. Bridge it then be careful with all that power.
Click to expand...
 
#15
I just sold off an Ampeg SVP Pro and Crown K1. I liked the Crown, massive power, clear sound and no fan. I doubt there is much to gain by just changing brand. To me it was the features that counted the most when I decided on the Crown K1 (2x550 Watt in 4 Ohm without any fan-noise). Tube power amp on the other hand...
 

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